Brown Pelican – Louisiana State Bird
Louisiana is a great place to watch and feed birds. Birdbaths, misters and drippers are especially effective in attracting birds, including non seed-eating species. Species that might be expected at feeders include: American Goldfinch, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove. Each of these species is shown in the Nifty Fifty mini-guide.
Herons and ibis are also common in many parts of the state.
On this page
The Nifty Fifty Birds of Louisiana
The Nifty Fifty is a mini-guide to the birds of Louisiana. It includes descriptions, images, video and songs of 50 of the most often observed birds of Louisiana.
Bird feeding
Developing bird-friendly habitat in your yard is the best way to attract a greater variety of species and to support local and migrating species. Native plants provide food and cover, are more insect and disease resistant than non-native species, and may require less water. A list of bird-friendly native plants for Louisiana are available by following the link on the left.
Bluebirds of Louisiana
Eastern Bluebirds nest in Louisiana, winter populations swell as more northern populations move into the state for the winter.
The Eastern Bluebird has a pleasant, musical song and a similar easy-to-identify flight call. They are most often found in open woodlands, parks, fields, along golf courses and cemeteries. The can be found in suburban areas with adequate open space.
Eastern Bluebirds
Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes, suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to soften them are well received. The bluebird’s special favorite is mealworms.
Nesting
In Louisiana, nesting commences as early as March and continues well into the summer. One and sometimes two or even three broods are produced.
Visit the bluebird section for detailed information on feeding bluebirds or building your own bluebird house.
Hummingbirds of Louisiana
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species that regularly visits Louisiana. It nests in the state each year, before migrating south. It flies across the Gulf of Mexico twice each year.
Visit the hummingbird section for details on attracting hummingbirds as well as images of all regularly occurring North American hummingbirds.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male
Purple Martins in Louisiana
Purple Martins arrive in Louisiana very early each year, returning from their wintering grounds in South America. Check the Purple Martin section for information on martins in Louisiana.
Detailed Purple Martin information is available in the Purple Martin section
Purple Martins are a popular backyard bird in Louisiana. They nest almost exclusively in man-made housing. Open your nest boxes in early to mid-January to greet early arrivals.
Purple Martin Scouts
In Louisiana look for scouts to start arriving in late January to early February. Nesting is complete in mid-summer. After nesting, martins form large roosts before heading south for the winter.
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Purple Martin, male
Birding
Louisiana provides birders with a variety of exciting birding locations.
The birding section of this site has tips on birding locations and bird identification. The state-based birding information section provides additional birding related information.
Louisiana Resource Information
Bird Study Group is a northwestern Louisiana
Acadiana Audubon Society
3502 East Simcoe St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
337-234-4042
Baton Rouge Audubon Society
PO Box 67016
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Central Louisiana Audubon Society
8421 Fairway Dr
Pineville, LA 71360
Orleans Audubon Society
801 Rue Dauphine, Apt 304
Metairie, LA 70005-4608
504-831-9913
Additional resources
If you have suggestions for additional resources for watching or feeding birds in Alabama, please submit them using this form. The resource does not need to be a particular location.
Louisiana Birding Festivals
Eagle Expo
Morgan City, LA
Usually in February
Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration
The Feliciana Nature Society will hold their annual Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration in St. Francisville, Louisiana. The Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration promotes the unique breeding habitat found in the St. Francisville area. The event provides the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up close as they are banded at two private homes in the St. Francisville area. Hummingbird-friendly plants will also be available for sale.
Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration
Usually in April
Grand Isle, Louisiana
Phone: 800-259-0869
Enjoy spring migration on Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island. See songbirds in oak-hackberry woods, shorebirds and waders on beaches and marshes. Birdwatching tours, local seafood, displays & crafts. Free videos and birding trail maps. Fun for families, new and experienced birders. Hosted by the Grand Isle Sanctuary Group.
Shorebird Extravaganza
Jennings, LA
Usually in April
225-642-5763
Neotropical Songbird Tour
Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, LA
Usually in May
318-793-5529
Great Louisiana BirdFest
Usually in April
Mandeville, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 626-1238
E-mail: birdfest@northlakenature.org
The Great Louisiana BirdFest is an annual event of the Northlake Nature Center. It is held each year in the spring when many species are migrating north through Louisiana from Mexico and South America. Our location in southern Louisiana makes this an excellent time of year for birding. The weather is typically warm but not yet hot and the trees are usually leafing out, but still thin enough for improved visibility.
BirdFest trips will visit varied habitat including swamps, wetlands, pine savanna, and hardwoods of southeast Louisiana. Among the many excellent birding locations scheduled for this year’s BirdFest is Pine Island, a rookery located in a private preserve. BirdFest includes birding trips, some Southern food and hospitality, and a few workshops.
Lafayette Hummingbird Day
Lafayette, LA
Usually in September
337-993-2473
Yellow Rails and Rice Festival:
Usually in October
Jennings, Louisiana
Designed with fun in mind, its primary goal is to provide participants a unique venue to view Yellow Rails while at the same time bringing birders and farmers together to realize the value to birds of the area’s “working wetlands.”